Huayu: A master director who debuted as a singer

The Boeing 777 flew through the clouds, and in the first-class cabin, flight attendants were collecting the used tableware.

Li Zongming turned to Zheng Hui, who was resting with his eyes closed, and said, "There's something I need to tell you."

Zheng Hui opened his eyes: "Brother Li, you speak."

"When I went to CCTV to record the program, the person in charge of receiving me from the station called me to discuss the accommodation issue."

Zheng Hui looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"CCTV is a large organization with many rules and strict budget controls."

Unless it's a large-scale national gala, or they've invited top superstars like Jackie Chan or Andy Lau, they won't spend too much money on food and accommodation.

"They arranged for us to stay in a hotel designated by the station for foreign guests. I've inquired about it, and it's only a two- or three-star hotel, with average conditions."

Zheng Hui didn't seem to care much: "As long as I can stay, it's fine. I'm going to sing, not go on vacation."

"No way." Li Zongming's tone turned serious. "This isn't just about sleeping; it's about prestige."

He stared at Zheng Hui: "What is your status now? A Macao compatriot, a Macao artist."

In the eyes of mainland promoters and media, what do Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan artists represent? They represent high status, refined taste, and star power.

"The commercial performances I'll arrange for you later, as well as the endorsements we're currently negotiating, will be priced according to the standards for first- and second-tier Hong Kong and Taiwan artists."

If those event promoters knew that you were staying in a guesthouse in Beijing that cost two or three hundred yuan a night, your image would instantly plummet.

"When we talk about prices later, people will bring this up. They'll say that's all Zheng Hui is worth, and that he's easy to get rid of."

Zheng Hui understood; this was both commercial packaging and psychological maneuvering. In an era of information asymmetry, the standards of clothing, food, housing, and transportation often directly determine the upper limit of commercial value.

"So what do you mean?"

Li Zongming already had a plan in mind: "We won't stay in the places arranged by CCTV; we'll pay for it ourselves and stay in the best accommodations."

"The two most luxurious hotels in Beijing right now are the Kun Lun Hotel and the VIP Lou Hotel. Many big-name Hong Kong celebrities, as well as international dignitaries and politicians, stay at these two hotels when they come here."

Li Zongming analyzed: "Living in this kind of place will firstly raise your social status and tell everyone that you, Zheng Hui, are an artist of this caliber."

Secondly, these places are frequented by celebrities, offering numerous opportunities. You might even bump into a famous director or investor while having afternoon tea at a coffee shop.

Zheng Hui nodded: "Okay, money is not a problem. Which one should we choose?"

"The VIP Building is located on Chang'an Avenue, next to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City."

That was built with investment from Mr. Fok Ying-tung; it has a Hong Kong investment background, and the service and facilities are top-notch. Plus, it's close to the Temple of Heaven where you're going to take photos.

"Okay, then let's book the VIP room."

As the plane taxied on the runway, the screeching sound of tires rubbing against the ground was followed by an announcement in the cabin.

Capital International Airport.

At this time, the airport did not yet have the grand scale of the later T3 terminal, but as the gateway to the country, it was still very busy.

As I walked out of the arrivals gate, a young man holding a sign that read "Welcome Mr. Zheng Hui" was looking around outside the crowd at the exit.

Li Zongming walked over quickly: "Hello, I am Li Zongming, and this is Zheng Hui."

The young man quickly put down the sign, his face beaming with smiles: "Mr. Li, Mr. Zheng, hello! I'm Xiao Zhao from the 'Variety Show' program, responsible for picking you up at the airport. The car is outside, please follow me."

Xiao Zhao led the three of them out of the hall, where a black Santana 2000 was parked by the roadside.

Once we got in the car, it drove onto the airport expressway.

"Mr. Zheng, are we going directly to the Yanjing Hotel arranged by the station?" Xiao Zhao asked, turning around from the passenger seat.

"No," Li Zongming said, "Please take us to the VIP Building Hotel."

Xiao Zhao paused for a moment, then said, "The VIP building? The station might be able to cover the costs there..."

Li Zongming smiled and waved his hand: "No need for the station to spend money, we've already ordered it ourselves and will cover the costs. Just send us over and give us the process sheet."

Xiao Zhao took another look at Zheng Hui, who hadn't said a word. He had worked with quite a few artists, from mainland China to Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Mainland singers were overjoyed to hear they were staying at the Yanshan Hotel. Even some second-tier artists from Hong Kong were only picky about the room size.

This is the first time I've ever paid for a room in the VIP building out of my own pocket.

"Okay, let's go to the VIP building then. Driver, change course and go to Chang'an Street."

The car exited the airport expressway and headed south.

As the car passed Tiananmen Square, Zheng Hui and Lin Dashan looked out the window, their eyes fixed on the city gate and the five-star red flag fluttering in the square.

After passing Tiananmen Square, the car drove a short distance east, turned onto a road, and stopped in front of a building.

BJ VIP Building Hotel.

The doorman, dressed in a red uniform and wearing a top hat, stepped forward and opened the car door.

Xiao Zhao got out of the car, took a file folder out of his bag, and handed it to Li Zongming.

"Mr. Li, this is the recording schedule and important notes for the program. Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, I will still drive this car to pick up Mr. Zheng on time to go to the station for rehearsal."

"Thanks for your hard work." Li Zongming took the file bag and casually pulled out a pack of unopened Zhonghua cigarettes from his pocket, handing it to Xiao Zhao: "Here, have a smoke. See you tomorrow."

Xiao Zhao declined briefly but then accepted the gift, happily got into his car, and drove off.

During check-in, the receptionist was dressed in a cheongsam and spoke softly.

"Mr. Zheng, your luxury suite is on the seventh floor. Here is your room key."

After completing the formalities, I took the room key and went upstairs.

The room was spacious and luxuriously decorated, with Chinese mahogany furniture paired with Western-style soft furnishings. Opening the window, a corner of the Forbidden City's glazed tiles gleamed in the sunlight.

Lin Dashan put his luggage away and left, staying in the standard room next door.

Li Zongming sat on the sofa, opened the file bag, and pulled out a few sheets of paper.

"Three thousand yuan."

Li Zongming waved a receipt in his hand; it was a receipt for labor fees issued by CCTV.

"This is the appearance fee that CCTV gave you."

Zheng Hui took it, glanced at it, and smiled: "That's quite a lot, enough for an ordinary worker's salary for half a year."

Li Zongming put the money away: "If it were a singer from the mainland, even a top-tier one, they would only give me two or three hundred yuan for travel expenses if they came to record a video."

Some don't even pay a penny; you have to spend money to pull strings to get a woman.

"Giving them three thousand is out of consideration for our compatriots in Macau; it's the treatment reserved for foreign guests."

"Even someone of Liu Huan's caliber earns around this amount, maybe a little more at most."

Li Zongming picked up a piece of paper and looked at it: "Oh, this is a flowchart."

Rehearsal on Tuesday, recording of backup tape on Friday, and live broadcast on Saturday night.

To be on the safe side, we'll record one take on Friday first. If anything goes wrong during the broadcast, the director will immediately cut to recording.

"Variety Show" has been CCTV's only live variety show program since its premiere in 1990.

"The first chapter is the opening, with Wei Wei and Liu Huan singing 'Asian Heroic Spirit.' This song is a classic from the 90 Asian Games, and the two of them are here to set the tone."

"The second part consists of comedy skits and martial arts performances to lighten the mood."

"In the third chapter, which is the emotional highlight, we will first play a short film about athletes preparing for the Asian Games, showing the hardships of training and the support of their families."

Then, you go on stage and sing "I Believe."

"The production team's intention is to use your singing to push the emotions built up in the previous short films to a climax, and to cheer on the athletes who are about to compete."

Zheng Hui nodded: "The location is good, bridging the past and the future."